Two gardai and a woman were hospitalised after a gang rammed two cars outside a service station in Meath.

A man was arrested after officers spotted four men outside a garage in Kiltale.

The gang then reversed into a woman's car, before ramming a garda car and fleeing the scene at around 11.30am on Thursday morning.

Two of the suspects fled the scene on foot but were both followed by Gardai and an 18-year-old man was arrested.

He was arrested on suspicion of burglary and is being detained at Trim Garda station under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The injured female and two Gardai from Trim Garda station were taken to Connolly Hospital for treatment.

The targeted car - a silver Volkswagen Golf - was found a short time later in a field approximately one mile from Mullagh Cross on the Summerhill to Dunboyne Road.

Local officers are been assisted by the Air Support Unit in a search of the area.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the silver VW Golf in and around the Kiltale area or may have seen it being abandoned at Mullagh Cross to contact them at Trim on 046 9481540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.